Getting Around in the World of Theatre

Hi everyone, I thought I'd do a bit of a different post this time inspired by my last trip to London when I saw Made in Dagenham and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (click the show name to read the blog) as I an over-night stay and a trip to the newly opened Theatre Cafe got me thinking about all the things that come along with a trip to the theatre...West End or otherwise. So I'll start with drinks and go from there.

Drinks

The Theatre Cafe

1. The Theatre Cafe (Shaftesbury Avenue, opposite The Queen's Theatre) - well what else could a theatre buff want. Recently opened, The Theatre Cafe is the perfect musical atmosphere to relax, meet with friends, grab a coffee, eat a cake and buy your theatre tickets. Drinks wise, it's basically your average coffee shop with decent coffee and the biscuit I had was rather yummy. However, the atmosphere was amazing, the tables were beautifully decorated with theatre leaflets and posters, the cups were gorgeous and the walls were astounding due to being decorated with theatre artefacts including the original broom Elphaba used in the West End production...top that off music from Matilda, Charlie and Spring Awakening (to name but a few) was wafting past my ear drums making the experience one of the best I've had. 

Follow them on Twitter at @thetheatrecafe

My 21st Birthday Celebrations
at Maxwells

Maxwells Bar and Grill

2. Maxwells (8 James Street, Covent Garden) - I was introduced to this place a few years ago and if you're a cocktail drinker like myself it's got some of the most amazing cocktails I've ever tasted and if you go on a Monday they're only about £3. The feel is, also, great if slightly loud but it's kinda your typical American diner...and, well, I just love it! Follow them on Twitter at @maxwellsCG

3. Balans Restaurant (60-62 Old Compton Street, Soho) - This little gem is just around the corner from The Palace Theatre and The Prince Edward Theatre and although rather expensive it's to die for.  Once another cocktail bar, but then this is me and they are practically the only thing I drink, and seen as this place serves my absolute favourite, well that's why it makes this list. The other reason why Balans has a special place in my heart was that it was here I met one of the assistant stage managers a Matilda a few years ago and managed to get a back stage tour of The Cambridge Theatre. Basically, it's a little bit of glitz and glamour and if you're wanting a truly swankified night out after a theatre trip then there's no where better that I know of to go.

Follow them on Twitter at @BalansLondon

Balans Restaurant and Bar, Soho

Food

1. Maxwells (8 James Street, Covent Garden) - I know I've already mentioned this place but it literally is one of my favourite places to eat in the world. I think one of my favourite things about the food is that there is actually a decent amount of Vegetarian options...meaning more than one which is nearly impossible to find in anything other than big chain brands. Another plus point is that the food is delicious and if you mention you're in a rush they bring it is super quick time...good on you Maxwells!

Bill's Restaurant - Meg and Me at Bill's/
Their Strawberry Lemonade/
The Bill's Logo

2. Bill's (28 St Martin's Court, Covent Garden) - I was recently introduced here by my friend Meg and instantly fell in love with the original style food, rustic feeling and quirky features. It's a very relaxed feel so if you're in a rush then it's probably not the place for you but if you've got the time then definitely pop in and have try.

Follow the on Twitter at @BillsRestaurant 

3. Bella Italia/Pizza Express (Anywhere in the country practically) - As I've implied, I'm a vegetarian  (and a fussy one at that) and because of this I normally go to chain restaurants as it's where I'm guaranteed to find something I like. As a fan of Italian food these two are definitely my two favourite chain restaurants with the food and staff normally being exceptional. I know there are plenty of other chain restaurants out there but if I was looking for one in London (or anywhere else) I'd definitely head to one of these two.

Follow Bella on Twitter at @Big_Bella

Follow Pizza Express on Twitter @PizzaExpress

Hotels

1. Cheep and Cheerful: Travelodge - Now I've stayed at many a Travelodge and definitely think it's the best cheep and cheerful hotel. You do have to gamble a bit as about 10% are a bit dodgy and breakfast isn't the best but what more can you expect from a hotel that offers you a stay in London for, what can sometime surmount, to under £100?

The Park Plaza Hotel - The Writing
the Carpet/Me Sitting in the Foyer/
Our Room/A View from Our Room

2. The Lap of Luxury: Park Plaza at Westminster Bridge - I had the pleasure of staying here when I won tickets to see Once so decided to splash out on a bit of a posher hotel and, wow, it was beautiful with a gorgeous pool and spa, luxury rooms and spectacular views...plus breakfast was delicious. Let's just say if you want a bit of luxury and don't mind splashing the cash then I'd recommend this hotel. 

Team Tompsett chillin' at the bar in the Amba Hotel

Lastminute.com's Top Secret Hotels

3. The Gamble: Lastminute.com's Top Secret Hotels - This was inspired by my recent trip as this was exactly what we booked and ended up with one of the most amazing hotels ever for a fraction of the price it would have cost going direct to the hotel itself. The hotel we got (The Amba Hotel at Charring Cross) was, also, amazing central as it was literally a stone's throw from Made in Dagenham which is what we went to see on the Friday evening.  I know this is a bit of a risk but from my experience this time I'd definitely do this again when I'm wanting a little treat but for a snip of the price.
Follow them on Twitter at @lastminute_com

Our Room at the Amba Hotel

Cheep Tickets

The London Theatre Bookings Booth
Next to The Hippodrome Casino

1. London Theatre Booking - Now I normally use the one right next to The Hippodrome Casino but there are a few about...and for those of you in the know, this is the company behind The Theatre Cafe. I initially chose this agent as you can't miss the booth as you get off the Tube at Leicester Square as it's just over the road plus it looks glitzy and very posh with a black and gold/silver front. I then fell in love with it even more when I realised that the tickets were fairly priced and really cheep (for theatre tickets) and the customer service was excellent. I think the best deal I've ever got was Book of Mormon tickets for the evening performance of the day I was booking at £40 each for the front of the Dress Circle...one this is astounding anyway as we all know how hard BOM tickets are to come by on the day but even more so considering another theatre booth had quoted me £90 for tickets at the back of the Dress Circle! It was then that I realised that this was the best reduced price tickets agent I've ever found and will certainly go there again and again to get my cheep tickets.
Follow them on Twitter at @TheatreBiz

The Queen's Theatre

2. Go to the Theatre Itself - Firstly, day seating...most theatres have very cheep, good seats for those of us who are prepared to get up early in the morning and queue...but come on, for the price it's sometimes worth it! Also, if you're prepared to wait until about half an hour to an hour before the performance starts there are some theatres that are prepared to haggle with the price...well they want that seat sold and what's the harm in us asking? The worst that can happen is you still end up paying full price or you run somewhere else and give it a go there.

3. Lastminute.com - Once again, I am addicted to this site for cheep deals as I've had so many good experiences through them. If you're a theatre buff you should definitely subscribe to their e-mails as sometimes they have 24 or 48 hour sales where they drop the prices and you can get to price seats for like £20. The only down side is you don't get to pick your seats but I've never been let down by them and have always had amazing seats for whichever show I've used them to book.

Regional Theatres

1. Grand Opera House, Belfast - Being the mad Priscilla fanatic that I am, when it was announced the tour was showing here on my birthday I just had to go...yes I know I'm crazy! Although I was in love with the production, it didn't stop me being blown away by the beauty of this magnificent theatre. It's ornately decorated with lush red curtains and just looks like you've been placed in the lap of luxury. I was, literally, gutted that this theatre was so far away as it was, by far, the best regional theatre I've ever been too; made even better by the staff being very friendly. If you live in Belfast, I know you don't have the ease of travel to London but I think this gem makes up, part way, for this loss. And if you're ever over there, just go and see something, anything, just to get a glimpse of this beautiful place.

The Belfast Grand Opera House - Inside the Theatre/Outside the Theatre/Me at the Theatre

The Wales Millennium Centre

2. Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff - A complete contrast to the Grand Opera House, Belfast but equally stunning in its own sense. This theatre combines the modern with the traditional world of theatre to create something that is unique and beautiful. Inside, the stage looks like your traditional proscenium arch stage and the seating is laid out like a traditional, grand theatre, however, the wooden design and lights give it a modern, quirky feel that provides a totally unique experience. And the outside...well just look at the pictures, it's beautiful, so beautiful that it inspired me to write a whole section on it in one of my university essays!

Follow them on Twitter at @theCentre

The Theatre Royal, Nottingham

3. Theatre Royal, Nottingham - Now I'm not just including this because it's my local theatre...I really do have a huge amount of respect for this place as it manages to pull in nearly all of the best tours and looks good as well. It may not be as grand or stunning as the other two I've mentioned but there is something sweet about your traditional, medium sized theatre. The facilities are great, the stage door is easy to find and, best of all, there are a decent amount of ladies toilets! Let's just say I'm very happy that this theatre is so close to me :)

Follow them on Twitter at @RoyalNottingham

Well I hope you've enjoyed reading this and that it proves useful to you when going on your theatre excursions. Please understand that these are only my opinions and are only limited to my top three choices...there are some categories I could have included a lot more in but then this blog would have been a lot, lot, lot longer! So if you want anymore details, please feel free to follow me on Twitter at @GreenGirlsRox, and remember to follow this blog and my Instagram to keep up to date with all of my theatrical goings on!

Love you all

Kat

xx